Rattrap



Nov. 18, 1941.

A. s. FLOWERS 2,263,078

RAT'I'RAP Filed Oct. 19, 1940 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Inventor Q A iiorney IThe forward Wall of the corridor structure treadle I1 is fulcrumed as atPatented Nov. 18, 1941 m1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RATTRAP Andrew S.Flowers, Brundidge, Ala. Application October 19,1940, Serial No. 361,960

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rat traps andmore particularly to a trap of the self-resetting type.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a trap forcatching rodents wherein the trapping means is automatically operated bythe victims.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a trapwhich is of positive action and substantially automatic in operation inall patriculars.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view through the trap.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse sectional view through theclosure resetting treadle.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, itcan be seen that the trap consists of a foraminous enclosure consistingof a back wall 5, a top wall 6, side walls I and a bottom wall 8.

The forward end of the trap is divided to provide the corridor-likeextensions generally referred to by numerals 9, 9, and a centralcorridor structure generally referred to by numeral l0.

These corridors are spaced to define alleys l l I. I slopes downwardlyas at I2 and terminates a substantial distance upwardly from the bottom8 to define a rodent entrance.

Inside of this entrance is a stationary platform H which has a dependingapron l at its forword edge. Beneath the platform l3, the side walls ofthe corridor structure ID are provided with supporting plates IS onwhich the intermediate portion of the rockable closure releasing I8. Theforward end of this treadle l1 has an upstanding trip arm I9 providedwith an inwardly disposed foot at the upper end thereof. This foot 20normally supports the gate or closure 2|. This gate or closure 2|consists of a plate a the edge portions of which are pressed orotherwise secured against the depending end portion of an elongatedframe 22, the side members b of which extend along the alleys H and intothe rear portion of the trap compartment where an elfset extension 23 isprovided against which the edge portions of a closure recess treadle 24are from the plates 26.

pressed or otherwise secured. A bridge member 25 is soldered orotherwise secured to the side members b of the frame 22 and extendthrough plates 26 clamped to opposite sides-of the foraminous trapenclosure to serve as a shaft, the end portions of this member 25 beingbent laterally as at 21 to prevent displacement of the same Thus theframe 22, treadle 24 and closure 2| are rockably mounted.

It can be seen in Figure 1, that the back wall of the corridor structureIll extends downwardly as at 28 to terminate as at 29in spaced relationfrom the bottom 8 and a wall 30 then extends upwardly to connect to thetop 6. This arrangement with the side walls 3| thereof define a baitchamber which has a closure 32 at the top thereof.

A rodent is attracted by the bait in the com partment and moves acrossthe platform l3 onto the treadle ll. His weight depresses the inner endof the treadle l1, releasing the trip arm If! so that the weight of theclosure 2| and major portion of the frame 22 will cause the closure 2|to swing downwardly closing the entrance between the lower portion ofthe front wall l2 and the bottom 8. The rodent now has passageway alongthe bottom 8 and up the inclined wall 33 to the treadle 24. As hisWeight lowers the treadle 24, the closure 2| will be elevated until thelower edge thereof reaches the foot 20, whereupon the arm I9 will moveoutwardly into a position supporting the closure 2| when the animaljumps off of the treadle 24.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specificterms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, sizeand materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention claimed.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

what is p In a rodent trap, an enclosure having a main. chamber and anentrance and a corridor connecting with the entrance, a walled baitchamber located in the enclosure between the main chamber and entranceand defining a passage between the corridor and the main chamber, anupwardly inclined floor in the enclosure and providing an inclinedrampfor the passage, a treadle pivoted adjacent one end of the enclosureand located in the corridor between the entrance and the bait chamberand normally assuming a position of closing the passage between the mainchamber and the corridor, a rigid platform in the corridor adjacent theentrance and overlying trance carried by said frame members, and a aportion of the treadle, a second treadle pivoted trip arm formed on oneend of the first treadle in the main chamber adjacent one end of theand'having a laterally ofi'set end to provide a inclined ramp where thelatter connects with foot to engage under the closure for releasably themain chamber, frame members secured to 6 securing said closure in anopen position.

the pivoted end of the second treadle and straddling the corridor, aclosure for the en- ANDREW S. FLOWERS.

